Ronald Reagan's pre-recorded kick off of the ceremonies proves to be as ominous as it is uplifting. 

Johnny Carson does his third stint as Oscar host, and for the third time, events force a one day delay in the broadcast.

In the afternoon of March 30, 1981, as Hollywood was gearing up for its big night, the world was shocked to see images of an attempted assassination on President Ronald Reagan.  Naturally, the event forced producer, Norman Jewison to postpone (and possibly even cancel) the ceremonies, but Reagan, himself, insisted that 'the show go on' the next day while he was still recuperating in hospital.  It was even reported that Reagan watched the ceremony from his hospital bed.

Jewison later admitted that the work was one of the most frightening moments of his life.  "You are dealing with some of the biggest egos in all the world.  And you don't realize how important this becomes to certain people, or corporations, or companies ... The pressures to do that show are enormous."  

Booking guests to appear seemed to be one of the biggest nightmares, and with the daunting task of having to juggle schedules, when the actual ceremony had to be postponed for a couple of days, things simply got worse.  

He recalled watching in horror, the news feed of the President, who was scheduled to appear that evening on the telecast, when scheduled singer, Dolly Parton, nominated that year for her song, 9-5, popped her head in his office.  He shrieked, "Dolly, look!  The president has been shot."  She quipped, "While don't look at me!  I didn't do it!"

From the Monologue

For those of you watching at home, welcome to Hollywood's version of 'Ordinary People'.

This program tonight is being seen in over 63 countries all over the world with an estimated viewing public of 300 million people.  In fact, even as I speak, my words are being translated in Spanish and Arabic.  And that's just for the benefit of Los Angeles.  

Tonight, as you know, is the night that the winners all thank the little people, that they stepped on all year. 

Now you all know that being an actor is a unique profession.  I understand that John Gavin has just resigned as Ambassador to Mexico, when he was offered a movie of the week.  ... Now I like John Gavin, but I don't think he has the credentials for that job ... as I was telling the Minister of Agriculture ... Marvin Hamlisch.

Reagan has asked for severe cuts in aid to the Arts and Humanities.  It's Reagan's strongest attack since he signed with Warner Brothers.  .... I bet he's up and around now.

You can spot the United Artists executives in the audience tonight.  They're the ones with the yellow ribbons, waiting for Heaven's Gate to be released.  

Personally I don't understand the success of video tape.  Why pay $50 for a movie on tape, when you can pay $40 to see it in the movies. 

The biggest moneymaker in Hollywood last year was Columbia ... not the studio ... the company.

I'm sure all of us here offer congratulations to Jane, Dolly and Lily, for having the courage to make a film dealing with sexism and male chauvinism.  And now that you chicks got that off your chest, you can get back to cooking and making babies.

There was another controversy in Hollywood last year.  ... Various minorities were offended by films like Fort Apache, Cruising and Dressed to Kill, and Charlie Chan.  In fact, this was a bad year indeed, if you were a gay Chinese from the Bronx.

	Ominous Foreshadowing Part 1: Irene Cara singing Fame
Lot's of people may have watched the ceremonies that evening, but there is little doubt that the attempted assassination of the President was on the mind's of most American's.  The world still had lots to learn about the crazed sociopath, John Hinkley, who's motives were inspired by his own quest for immortal fame.
	The Deathbed Award: Henry Fonda
The frail, 75 year old actor was causing a bit of an embarrassment with the Academy, in that he had never won an Oscar in the past, despite an incredible body of work.  His only nomination occurred back in 1940 with The Grapes of Wrath. The Academy finally chose to make up for lost time by honoring the man with a special Oscar.  In the meantime, daughter Jane was attempting to go one better.  She had bought the film rights to the play, On Golden Pond, and used it as an opportunity to settle old feuds that she and her father had suffered.    A clip from the film ended a touching montage of Fonda's best work, but who would have guessed that the actor would find himself winning the Best Actor prize the very next year?
	Ominous Foreshadowing Part 2: "Hey, I want one of those!"
Guess what TV actor can be seen in a promo for with other members of his hit sitcom during the Academy Awards, wishing they could get 'one of those'.?  While the actor would later go on to be an Oscar winner, he had to have it explained to him that the Oscar's are for movies - not for TV.
	Ominous Foreshadowing Part 2: DeNiro Wins Best Actor
Robert DeNiro claimed that facts about Reagan's assassination scared him so much that he actually couldn't focus on his acting for at least six months.  While he didn't know it that night, it would soon be revealed that John Hinkley had a thing for his film Taxi Driver, and was living out the life of DeNiro's character, who assassinates a public figure, and attempts to rescue Jodie Foster.
Sissy and Robert had the pleasure of having the people they won Oscar's for playing, in the audience that evening.  Both Loretta Lynn and Jake LaMotta looked on as the actor's accepted their prizes.